30 Overrated Shooter Games Everyone Seems To Like

The first-person and third-person shooter genres dominate the video game market, producing some of the highest-grossing titles in entertainment history. While many of these games receive widespread acclaim and maintain millions of active users, they often become subjects of debate regarding their lasting impact and mechanical depth. This list explores 30 prominent shooter titles that have achieved significant popularity despite facing consistent criticism from segments of the gaming community. From annual franchises to massive live-service projects, these games illustrate the complexities of audience reception in the modern gaming landscape.

‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’ (2023)

‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’ is a first-person shooter developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision. The game continues the story of Task Force 141 as they hunt the ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov across various global locations. It features a multiplayer suite that launched with remastered versions of all 16 maps from the original 2009 title. While it maintained high sales figures, the game faced criticism for its short campaign length and perceived similarities to the previous entry. The release also integrated a massive open-world Zombies mode for the first time in the sub-series.

‘Overwatch 2’ (2022)

‘Overwatch 2’ is a hero shooter developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment as a replacement for the original title. It transitioned the series to a free-to-play model and changed the team format from six-to-six to five-to-five. While the core gameplay received praise, the game’s monetization and the cancellation of planned PvE features became central points of discussion. The title remains highly active with seasonal updates and new hero additions. It has faced scrutiny for its transition from the business model used in the first installment.

‘Destiny 2’ (2017)

‘Destiny 2’ is an online multiplayer shooter developed by Bungie and originally published by Activision. The game features a vast science-fiction universe where players act as Guardians protecting Earth from various alien threats. It incorporates elements of role-playing games, such as loot systems and character progression. Despite its commercial success and long-term support, some players have criticized its content vaulting policy and expansion pricing. The game eventually transitioned to a self-publishing model under Bungie.

‘Apex Legends’ (2019)

‘Apex Legends’ is a battle royale shooter developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. Set in the ‘Titanfall’ universe, it emphasizes character-based abilities and squad-based tactical play. The game gained immediate popularity for its unique communication system and high-speed movement mechanics. Critics have occasionally pointed to the game’s aggressive cosmetic pricing as a point of contention within its community. It continues to be a staple in the competitive esports scene.

‘Valorant’ (2020)

‘Valorant’ is a tactical first-person shooter developed and published by Riot Games. It combines precise gunplay with diverse character abilities, often compared to both ‘Counter-Strike’ and ‘Overwatch’. The game features a competitive ranking system that has attracted a large professional esports community. Some players have expressed frustration with its expensive skin bundles and the high degree of mechanical mastery required. It remains one of the most-watched titles on streaming platforms globally.

‘Fortnite’ (2017)

‘Fortnite’ is a battle royale shooter developed and published by Epic Games. It became a global phenomenon by combining survival mechanics with real-time building features. The game is known for its frequent collaborations with major media franchises and constant map updates. While it maintains a massive player base, some critics argue the building mechanics create a high barrier to entry for casual play. Its monetization through the Battle Pass system has set a standard for the modern gaming industry.

‘Halo Infinite’ (2021)

‘Halo Infinite’ is a first-person shooter developed by 343 Industries and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game features an open-world campaign and a free-to-play multiplayer component. It was designed to return to the aesthetic and feel of the original ‘Halo’ trilogy. Despite a strong initial reception, the community criticized the slow rollout of post-launch content and seasonal updates. It has since undergone various overhauls to address player concerns regarding its progression system.

‘Far Cry 6’ (2021)

‘Far Cry 6’ is an open-world first-person shooter developed by Ubisoft Toronto and published by Ubisoft. Players take on the role of a guerrilla soldier attempting to overthrow a dictator in the fictional Caribbean nation of Yara. The game features a large variety of weapons and vehicles, along with a complex crafting system. Critics frequently noted that the game follows a predictable formula established by its predecessors without introducing significant innovations. Its expansive map has also been described as repetitive by some players.

‘Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege’ (2015)

‘Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege’ is a tactical shooter developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It focuses heavily on environmental destruction and cooperation between players using unique character abilities. Since its launch, it has transformed into a major esports title with a deep competitive meta-game. While highly successful, the steep learning curve and community toxicity are frequently mentioned as drawbacks. The game continues to receive quarterly updates containing new characters and map reworks.

‘Borderlands 3’ (2019)

‘Borderlands 3’ is an action role-playing first-person shooter developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games. The game expanded the series by allowing players to travel to multiple planets beyond the familiar deserts of Pandora. It features a vast array of procedurally generated weapons and four distinct character classes. While the gunplay was widely praised as an improvement, the narrative and humor received a mixed response from the fanbase. The game continues to be supported with various seasonal events and downloadable content.

‘Battlefield 2042’ (2021)

‘Battlefield 2042’ is an online multiplayer shooter developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. The title removed the traditional class system in favor of individual characters and introduced 128-player battles on certain platforms. Upon launch, it faced significant technical issues and criticism regarding map design and the removal of standard features. Developers have since released numerous updates to restore classic classes and improve the overall gameplay flow. Despite these efforts, it is often cited in discussions about disappointing major releases.

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’ (2020)

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’ was developed by Treyarch and Raven Software and published by Activision. Set during the 1980s, the game features a campaign with multiple endings and a robust multiplayer component. It also integrated with the original ‘Call of Duty: Warzone’ to share progression and content. Some community members felt the game was a step back in terms of engine technology compared to the 2019 entry. However, its Zombies mode and seasonal updates kept it popular throughout its lifecycle.

‘Gears 5’ (2019)

‘Gears 5’ is a third-person shooter developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios. The campaign focuses on Kait Diaz as she uncovers the origins of the enemy and her own family history. It introduced semi-open world elements and a three-player cooperative mode called Escape. While the visuals and refined combat were praised, the multiplayer progression system at launch was a point of controversy. The game remains a cornerstone of the Xbox first-party lineup.

‘Tom Clancy’s The Division 2’ (2019)

‘Tom Clancy’s The Division 2’ is an online action role-playing shooter developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft. Set in a Washington D.C. ravaged by a pandemic, players act as agents trying to restore order. The game features a detailed looting system and challenging endgame content known as Raids. While it improved upon the launch state of the original game, some players found the gear progression to be overly complex. It continues to receive seasonal updates and new narrative expansions.

‘Doom Eternal’ (2020)

‘Doom Eternal’ is a first-person shooter developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. It serves as a direct sequel to the 2016 reboot, emphasizing fast-paced combat and resource management. Players must use specific weapons and maneuvers to extract health, ammo, and armor from enemies. While many praised its mechanical depth, some fans felt the addition of platforming and complex systems detracted from the core experience. The game is noted for its high technical performance across multiple platforms.

‘BioShock Infinite’ (2013)

‘BioShock Infinite’ is a first-person shooter developed by Irrational Games and published by 2K Games. Set in the flying city of Columbia, players control Booker DeWitt as he attempts to rescue a woman named Elizabeth. The game was lauded for its narrative and art design upon its initial release. Retrospective analysis often points to its simplified combat mechanics and linear level design compared to previous entries in the series. It remains a significant title in discussions regarding environmental storytelling and world-building.

‘Fallout 4’ (2015)

‘Fallout 4′ is an action role-playing shooter developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Players emerge from an underground vault into a post-apocalyptic Boston and must search for their missing family member. The game introduced a deep settlement-building system and refined the series’ gunplay mechanics. Some long-time fans criticized the simplified dialogue system and the shift towards action over traditional role-playing elements. It remains one of the best-selling titles in the ‘Fallout’ franchise.

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ (2020)

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ is an open-world action shooter developed and published by CD Projekt Red. Set in the dystopian Night City, players control a mercenary navigating a world of cybernetics and corporate warfare. The game’s initial launch was marked by significant technical problems, particularly on older console hardware. Following the ‘Phantom Liberty’ expansion and a major technical overhaul, the game saw a massive resurgence in popularity. It is frequently discussed for its ambitious scope and its eventual technical recovery.

‘Titanfall 2’ (2016)

‘Titanfall 2’ is a first-person shooter developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It is highly regarded for its fluid movement system and the relationship between the pilot and their robotic Titan. The game includes a critically acclaimed single-player campaign and various fast-paced multiplayer modes. Despite high reviews, its commercial performance was affected by its release window between other major shooters. Fans often describe it as a masterpiece, though some argue its cult status has led to its flaws being overlooked.

‘Team Fortress 2’ (2007)

‘Team Fortress 2’ is a team-based multiplayer shooter developed and published by Valve. It is famous for its distinct art style and nine unique character classes that offer varied playstyles. The game pioneered many features of the modern live-service model, including a virtual economy based on cosmetic items. While it remains highly popular, the community often voices concerns over the lack of major content updates and bot issues. It continues to be one of the most played games on the Steam platform.

‘Left 4 Dead 2’ (2009)

‘Left 4 Dead 2’ is a cooperative first-person shooter developed and published by Valve. Players work together as four survivors fighting through hordes of infected across the American South. The game introduced new special enemies, melee weapons, and an updated AI system to manage pacing. While it is a staple of cooperative gaming, some critics at the time felt it was released too soon after the original. It continues to maintain a dedicated community through user-generated content on the Steam Workshop.

‘Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus’ (2017)

‘Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus’ is a first-person shooter developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks. The story follows B.J. Blazkowicz as he attempts to spark a second American Revolution against an occupying force. The game is known for its intense narrative and brutal, fast-paced combat mechanics. Some players found the difficulty spikes and level design to be frustrating compared to the previous entry. It received several awards for its storytelling and character development.

‘Counter-Strike 2’ (2023)

‘Counter-Strike 2’ is a tactical first-person shooter developed and published by Valve. It was released as a free upgrade to replace ‘Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’ on the newer Source 2 engine. The game introduced volumetric smoke grenades and improved server architecture for better responsiveness. While it maintains a top position on global charts, players have criticized the removal of certain game modes and technical bugs at launch. It continues to be the primary platform for one of the world’s largest esports scenes.

‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ (2017)

‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ is an action shooter developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. It covers all three eras of the ‘Star Wars’ cinematic universe and features both space and ground combat. The game became infamous at launch for its monetization system, which sparked a global conversation about microtransactions. After years of updates that removed those systems and added significant content, the game’s reputation improved. It now stands as a comprehensive experience for fans of the franchise.

‘Resident Evil 6’ (2012)

‘Resident Evil 6’ is a third-person shooter developed and published by Capcom. The game features four distinct campaigns that intertwine, showcasing iconic characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield. It moved the series further into the action genre, featuring high-octane set pieces and a complex melee system. Many fans of the survival horror roots criticized the game for being too bloated and lacking in tension. Despite the mixed reception, it remains one of the best-selling titles in the company’s history.

‘Metro Exodus’ (2019)

‘Metro Exodus’ is a first-person shooter developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver. It departs from the underground tunnels of Moscow to explore the Russian wilderness across various open-ended levels. The game emphasizes stealth, resource management, and survival in a post-nuclear world. While praised for its atmosphere, some players found the voice acting and scripted sequences to be inconsistent. It concluded the trilogy based on the popular novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky.

‘Crysis 3’ (2013)

‘Crysis 3’ is a first-person shooter developed by Crytek and published by Electronic Arts. Set in a decaying New York City enclosed in a giant nanodome, players use a specialized suit to fight human and alien enemies. The game was widely used as a benchmark for high-end PC hardware due to its advanced graphics. Some critics felt that the campaign was shorter and less innovative than the original title in the series. It remains a visually striking example of the capabilities of the CryEngine software.

‘Call of Duty: Warzone’ (2020)

‘Call of Duty: Warzone’ is a free-to-play battle royale shooter developed by Infinity Ward and Raven Software and published by Activision. It launched as a standalone experience and was integrated into several other titles in the franchise. The game features a unique mechanic that allows players to fight for a chance to return to the match after death. While it achieved massive popularity, the game has been criticized for its large file sizes and recurring issues with cheaters. It continues to evolve with seasonal map changes and weapon updates.

‘PUBG: Battlegrounds’ (2017)

‘PUBG: Battlegrounds’ is a battle royale shooter developed by PUBG Studios and published by Krafton. It is credited with popularizing the battle royale genre on a global scale. Players parachute onto an island and scavenge for equipment while the playable area shrinks over time. Despite its massive success, the game has faced criticism for its technical optimization and slower pace compared to its competitors. It remains one of the most played games in history, particularly in Asian markets.

‘Borderlands 2’ (2012)

‘Borderlands 2’ is an action role-playing shooter developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games. It follows a group of hunters as they attempt to defeat the villainous Handsome Jack on the planet Pandora. The game is often cited as a high point for the series due to its writing and refined loot mechanics. However, some players argue that the high difficulty levels can make the combat feel repetitive. Its legacy is defined by its extensive post-launch support and influential visual style.

Please share which shooter games you believe are the most overrated in the comments.